Dharma Teacher Training Program

“In these modern times of difficulty and stress the only sane response to what’s going on is awakening.The world needs you. We all need you.”Ian Paul Marshall

The Zen Awakened Dharma Teacher Training Program is a chance for you to go deeper into the dharma. To help it unfold in your life – then to share that gift with the world.

Here at Zen Awakened we’re on a mission to train at least 108 Dharma teachers to help transform the world.

We see the role of being a Dharma Teacher to be a calling. Something that you feel deep within. Dharma teachers have been touched by the teachings, their own lives transformed and they want to share that blessing with others.

This online multi-year guided training will allow you to experience the dharma in new and exciting ways. It’s broken down in multiple semesters and you’ll have the chance to really explore and go deep into your practice.

Each semester you’ll journey through the teachings in ways that will provide you with new insights and revelations and help you to even more fully live an awakened life.

At the end of your Dharma Teacher Training you’ll benefit from being part of a global network of teachers and sanghas, having ready made lesson plans to work from, dharma talks and series to help you bring these teachings to the world.

Phase 1: At the end of this phase you can begin to teach

Module 1: The Life of the Buddha (8 Weeks)PLS purchase “Buddha by Karen Armstrong as this is the text we’ll be using for this module)Module 2: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (10 Weeks)PLS purchase “Awaken by Ian Paul Marshall as this is the text we’ll be using for this module – we will also be using video recordings as well)

Register for Module 1 (The Life of the Buddha) – Starts May 9th

(Of course if you can’t afford the fees please contact us for scholarship opportunities – or if you have been blessed with financial abundance and want to offer more it would be most welcome so please reach out to let us know how you want to help support the work we’re doing)

How the Dharma Teacher Training Program Works

During each training module, every week there will be a new reading (viewing) or practice to be undertaken for that week.

At the end of that week you will either be asked to provide a one page synopsis of what you read, and/or provide feedback on your experience from working with that weeks material, and/or answer a series of questions (all of this helps you to engage and embody the dharma on whole new levels)

Your guiding teacher will then give you feedback on the work that you submitted

Your guiding teacher will answer any questions you may have that week about the material or what has come up in practice for you

Dharma Teachers In Training VowsIn addition to the Five Precepts Dharma Teacher take on the Dharma Teacher Training Vows(to be said and practiced daily)

I vow not to talk about the faults of others.I vow not to praise myself and put down others.I vow not to be covetous and to be generous.I vow not to give way to anger and to be harmonious.I vow not to slander the three jewels (Buddha, dharma, sangha).

On the Relationship to Our Tradition

Has a clear commitment to teacher Ian Paul Marshall’s teaching as practiced in the Zen Awakened community

Understands the value and application of all the Zen Awakened practice forms

Has a clear and ongoing relationship with his/her guiding teacher and community

Is dedicated to sincere practice and helping others to practice

Maintains a clear financial relationship with the Zen Awakened community and network of centres (membership and dharmateacher commitments)

Represents their Dharma Center and the Zen Awakened Community with integrity to the local community

On Practice

Completes dharma teacher training program and continues with “ongoing education” and training

Is involved with regular ongoing daily/weekly practice as well as regular attendance of retreats at their home centre underthe guidance of guiding teacher

Performs various dharma room jobs, and is available for Zen Awakened staff positions

Attends ceremonies and helps to lead them when requested by guiding teacher